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Checkout The New arrivals
Checkout The New arrivals
November 24, 2021 8 min read
As a construction worker for more than 30 years, I can tell you that working in the construction industry now is nothing like working in the industry 20 years ago. You will enjoy it if you enjoy working longer hours in the field than at home, working in all types of weather, 6 days a week on a regular basis and 7 days a week on occasion, and working more hours in the field than at home.
Construction employees will have to combine client demands with long working hours and hazardous conditions. As well as observe all safety precautions to avoid major injury, illness, or, in the worst-case scenario, death. Working in the construction industry is no longer the same as it once was. It used to be that you had to "do whatever it takes to get the job done" without killing yourself.
It still happens, but there are many better safety laws and methods of staying safe now than there were previously. Such as the fact that, during work hours, we always have to be fitted in our protective gear, which now includes the Qarido safety shoes, work shoes and steel toe shoes.
Safety is a major concern in the field. In everything we do, the safety and well-being of the employees is a top priority. I will now walk you through a typical day on the construction site, the hassles, the risks, and the safety measures.
Starting the working day
A normal working day for me begins at 5.30 a.m., especially if I need to complete certain tasks prior to leaving the house, such as making phone calls and checking delivery schedules. I need to make sure that essential building materials like siding and concrete arrive on time. The standard site hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., but this can vary depending on the construction company and the project's demands.
Weekend work is typical, and if they are behind on a project, I may have to work long into the early evening to finish it. I try to get as much work done first thing in the morning as possible to avoid having to perform more rigorous work later in the day when the temperature rises.
Getting the job done
I'm frequently met by the supervisor or construction safety officer when I arrive at the work site. A brief meeting may be held to clarify the day's responsibilities and provide comments on the project's progress. I'll then need to put on their safety gear, which could include high-visibility jackets, hard helmets, safety glasses, Qarido steel toe shoes, and gloves.
During the winter months, actual construction work may not begin until there is enough natural light to safely see, which means a project may begin later in the day.
When building begins, there will be a slew of jobs going on at once. Some of us may be utilising a crane to raise steel beams. While others may be digging dirt from a job site or delivering the necessary materials and tools to a roof surface, depending on our licensing. Others might be putting up bricks or laying concrete.
I may work from a type of work platform, such as an aluminium access platform, to accomplish a project securely and more successfully. When compared to more typical materials such as wood or steel, an aluminum access platform is simple to set up. It's adaptable and robust, and it can be moved around the construction site quickly. Aluminium is a sustainable material that can be recycled, thus this sort of platform is becoming increasingly popular in the construction sector.
The Demands of Construction
As the law instructs, I need to take breaks throughout the day and rehydrate by drinking water every couple hours. Conditions may become more difficult later in the day when more cars are on the road if a work site is located in a congested public area. We must consider both our coworkers' and the broader public's safety concerns. Workers in this industry may be able to go home earlier than those in other industries. Particularly on Fridays, because they began the workday earlier, albeit this will depend on the job requirements. To keep trespassers and the general public out, the construction safety officer will lock the site at the end of the day.
Well there you have it, a typical day in the life of a construction worker. I bet you have some questions, well, you wouldn't be alone. Over the years I've been asked tons of questions by friends and family, some of which go a little more in depth. Here's a few for you.
Different tasks are performed by construction workers. Roads are constructed by some. Others work on construction projects such as houses and offices. Digging, pounding, cutting, and measuring are all things that construction workers do. These are pretty hard work but I enjoy every bit of it.
Crews of construction workers collaborate. The supervisor double-checks that the crew is adequately staffed. The concrete truck is being backed up. Another worker moves the chute. The rest of the crew spreads the concrete with shovels and trowels
To keep themselves safe, construction workers dress in protective gear. To keep my feet safe, I wear Qarido work shoes. While checking supplies on the job site, I wear a hard hat. When cutting boards, the frame team wears protective eyewear. Saws and hammers are muffled by ear plugs. Negligence is usually the cause of most accidents in the work place so as a construction worker I follow every standard and rules put in place to ensure safety.
Most of us eat our meals on the job. Some people bring their lunches in their backpacks. Others eat from a food truck. Everyone gets a glass of water. Workers may suffer from heatstroke if they don't have enough water.
Construction workers are aided by many people. Architects and designers can assist by drawing blueprints. Constructing projects are managed by contractors. Construction employees benefit from the assistance of inspectors as well. They inspect the work to ensure that it complies with local building regulations. Brad is assisted by an inspector in making sure the roof is safe and watertight.
We, the construction workers, work according to a set of instructions. Workers are instructed on how to construct items according to the plans.
This kitchen's blueprints are read by the supervisor. He oversees the crew's adherence to the plans. He double-checks that the sink will fit.
We must ensure that the job site is clean and safe before we go. Rubbish is piled into a bin by the workers. They clean up any nails that may have fallen on the road or pavement. The Foreman neatly stacks siding. Before going home, he double-checks the schedule for tomorrow.
Working as a construction worker quickly taught me that it had both positive and negative sides. If you or someone you know is thinking about pursuing a career in construction, make sure you understand what you're getting yourself into!
Working as a builder: The Good, Bad, Ugly, and Great
The Good
You'll be highly compensated.
This is especially true if you join a local union and complete an apprenticeship program through them. When directly compared to their non-union colleagues, union construction workers are always the highest compensated.
You get off work relatively early
Especially when compared to regular office jobs. Much earlier than the usual 5-6pm finish time for most other workers, you can expect to be on the motorway heading home much earlier than that. This is ideal for Greater London residents since it allows them to avoid evening traffic and get home reasonably quickly, regardless of where they live..
Work does not need you to dress in a suit and tie.
Because you'll be getting dirty on a daily basis, you'll need to dress in tough clothes and work boots. A baseball cap is perfectly acceptable every day of the week, without the need for gel or fashionable hairdos.
The Bad
Early in the morning, work begins.
This implies that you are waking up between 3:30 and 5:30 a.m. every day.
I have had to deal with disasters causing destruction to certain buildings and architecture. Every day, my day would start at 5:30 a.m and end at 7:00 p.m. This would go on for several months until the property was repaired.
The Ugly
Construction sites can be quite hazardous.
Men have stepped through an undetected hole in a roof and fallen twenty feet to a concrete slab below, something I have personally witnessed. Men's fingers have been caught in machinery and nearly ripped off in front of my eyes. Countless times, I've cut open my own skin. I've driven myself to the ER twice.
My biggest mishap resulted in a torn shoulder, which landed me in the hospital and then the operating room. On a construction site, particularly large ones with hundreds of workers working, blood is prevalent. I knew I didn't want to return to construction after my shoulder surgery. I reasoned that if I worked in the sector for 30 or 40 years, I'd be able to retire with a nice pension, but I'd have to use a wheelchair to get around, which I didn't want to do.
The Great
Some aspects of construction are very amazing.
Every day of the week, I looked forward to seeing new structures and meeting new people.
I've worked for all of the top UK filming studios and on some fantastic sets. In addition, I've worked at all of the main theme parks in London, including Legoland Windsor, London Dungeon, KidZania, and London Bridge Experience. It's always interesting to see how the entertainment industry operates.
Working in construction has a lot of advantages, but it also has a lot of disadvantages. After over 20 years of committed service, the bad outweighed the good for me, and I left the industry. However, it wasn't all horrible; I made a lot of wonderful memories!
Conclusion
A regular working day for a construction worker can be challenging, and personnel must always follow proper safety practices to avoid major injury or disease. To reduce the risk of workers falling from higher places, certain precautions must be taken, including the installation of scaffolding and a work surface. Qarido steel toe shoes also help when working with elevated equipment and materials, in the event there is a mishap and the heavy equipment is dropped; our feet also need protection.
Employees will also be required to wear protective equipment in order to avoid illnesses caused by excessive dust exposure, as well as stay hydrated during the day.
Lengthy hours of carrying heavy equipment and supplies, which can be physically tiring, are one of the role's additional responsibilities, in addition to a long working day. Extreme weather conditions can also affect construction workers. Hot, sunny temperatures can contribute to weariness, while windy circumstances can be challenging. Especially if extra safety precautions are needed to anchor equipment and tools to surfaces so they don't blow away.
In a nutshell, construction is probably not for you if you enjoy whining a lot, getting manicures, and can't imagine working on a Saturday. But if you don't mind putting in long hours and want top-notch job satisfaction, you might run into me on the job and we can swap horror stories. Stay safe, brothers and sisters, and at the end of the day, return home to your families.